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Date: Thursday, 16 April 2026 9:30AM – 4:30PM
Location: Online
Description:
Alcohol and other drugs can affect the brain in both consistent and idiosyncratic ways. Up to 70% of people in alcohol and other drug treatment have significant temporary or long term cognitive impairment related to drug use, lifestyle or other factors.
In this workshop, learn about how different parts of the brain can be affected by drug use and how this may impact functioning. You will gain a thorough understanding of how the brain works, the functional impact of drugs and the effects on treatment.
Learning outcomes:
- Understand how alcohol and other drugs affect the brain in the short and longer term
- Gain skills in assessment of functional impairment and daily functioning
- Adapt treatment to improve outcomes for clients who have cognitive impairments
Suitable for new, experienced and advanced practitioners and workers in low threshold and clinical settings.
Eligibility Criteria
This training has been funded for workers employed in a Victorian State-funded Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service.
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships, workers from other community sectors such as Family Violence, Homelessness and Mental Health and AOD workers outside of Victoria.
Terms & Conditions
Please ensure you have clearance from your line manager to attend. If you cannot attend, cancel your registration and make your spot available to someone else on the waitlist.
We are at capacity and are no longer accepting registrations.
CHCAOD009 Develop and review individual alcohol and other drug treatment plans (2 February 2026 – 27 March 2026)
Turning Point (RTO 6948) has been contracted by the Department of Health (DH) Victoria to provide competency learning and assessment opportunities to the Victorian AOD workforce.
Eligibility: To enrol in a unit of competency you must work in a publicly funded organisation in the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector and be an Australian Citizen/Permanent Residence or New Zealand Citizen.
Cost: There is no cost to complete this unit of competency if you meet the selection criteria.
Details
This is only for the unit of competency CHCAOD009 Develop and review individual alcohol and other drug treatment plans
Delivery: Online and virtual classes.
Online learning and assessment will commence 2 February 2026 and will conclude 27 March 2026.
In addition, you must be available to attend the following online virtual classes:
- Wednesday 11 February 2026, 9:30AM – 1:00PM
- Wednesday 25 February 2026, 9:30AM – 1:00PM
- Wednesday 4 March 2026, 9.30 – 1:00PM
Application process:
This is an expression of interest only and not an enrolment. You must be available to attend all virtual classes advertised.
If we can offer you a place, you will receive an email notification and must confirm your acceptance by the specified deadline, as places are limited and demand is high.
Enrolment to Elevate and submitting your registration does not guarantee enrolment into the unit of competency.
Contact Student Administration – tp@turningpoint.org.au if you have any questions.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Find out more about the Graduate Program of Addictive Behaviours at Monash University!
Applications for Semester 2 2026 are now open. Semester 2 begins on 27 July 2026.
By enrolling in one of our courses, you will develop the specialist knowledge and professional skills to support individuals and communities impacted by addiction.
- Graduate Certificate of Addictive Behaviours (M4018): 1 year part-time
- Graduate Diploma of Addictive Behaviours (M5022): 2 years part-time
- Master of Addictive Behaviours (M6014): 2–3 years part-time
Each of these online postgraduate courses (with part-time study) builds on units offered in the previous qualification and provides pathways for further study and postgraduate research opportunities in addiction.
Why join?
✔️ Advance your career.
✔️ Learn from leading experts and real-world practitioners.
✔️ Gain a postgraduate qualification from a Group of Eight University, ranked in the top 40 globally.
✔️ Make a measurable impact on people’s lives.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Find out more about the Graduate Program of Addictive Behaviours at Monash University!
Applications for Semester 1 2026 are now open and will close soon after classes begin on 23 February 2026.
By enrolling in one of our courses, you will develop the specialist knowledge and professional skills to support individuals and communities impacted by addiction.
- Graduate Certificate of Addictive Behaviours (M4018): 1 year part-time
- Graduate Diploma of Addictive Behaviours (M5022): 2 years part-time
- Master of Addictive Behaviours (M6014): 2–3 years part-time
Each of these online postgraduate courses (with part-time study) builds on units offered in the previous qualification and provides pathways for further study and postgraduate research opportunities in addiction.
Why join?
✔️ Advance your career.
✔️ Learn from leading experts and real-world practitioners.
✔️ Gain a postgraduate qualification from a Group of Eight University, ranked in the top 40 globally.
✔️ Make a measurable impact on people’s lives.
This is a 1-day in person training.
Description: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) has evolved over the years and is a most favourably reviewed treatment approach. There is much evidence for the effectiveness of CBT with a range of Alcohol and Other Drugs issues. In recent years CBT has expanded its focus to include third wave approaches. These approaches seek to blend traditional CBT principles with concepts new to cognitive-behavioural therapies such as mindfulness and acceptance.
In this introductory workshop you will build your capacity in applying evidence-based interventions that work on the underlying processes that support behavioral change. You will discover how, when and why to apply a best practice cognitive, behavioral or emotion focused approach.
This workshop will introduce you to a range of models, techniques and interventions to help your clients to change negative thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and improve emotional wellbeing. It will be a practical and interactive workshop where you will be introduced to a range of tools, worksheets and relapse prevention strategies that you can use collaboratively with your client to implement.
Date: Thursday, 2nd October 2025
Time: 10:00pM – 4:00PM
Location: Turning Point, 110 Church Street, Richmond, VIC 3121
Cost: Free
Who should attend: AOD clinicians, counsellors, support workers and allied health working in a Victorian Department of Health funded AOD organisation.
Registration: Click here to register
This is a 1-day in person training.
Description: Working with cognitively impaired clients can be a significant challenge, particularly when access to assessment services and resources are limited. Cognitive difficulties may arise from a range of aetiologies including acquired brain injury, mental health, substance use, or neurodevelopmental differences and together, this can have a cumulative and adverse impact on treatment outcomes and recovery. This workshop will provide practical strategies for working with clients who present with or have concerns regarding cognitive difficulties. In particular, this workshop will cover four main themes:
- Recognising cognitive impairment
- Underlying aetiologies across the lifespan
- Supporting clients with cognitive impairment
- Referral pathways: When might assessment be indicated?
Date: Friday, 28th November 2025
Time: 9:30pM – 4:30PM
Location: Turning Point, 110 Church Street, Richmond, VIC 3121
Cost: Free
Who should attend: AOD clinicians, counsellors, support workers and allied health working in a Victorian Department of Health funded AOD organisation.
Registration: Click here to register
ENROLMENTS HAVE CLOSED
CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues (6 October 2025 – 5 December 2025)
Turning Point (RTO 6948) has been contracted by the Department of Health (DH) Victoria to provide competency learning and assessment opportunities to the Victorian AOD workforce.
Eligibility: To enrol in a unit of competency you must work in a publicly funded organisation in the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector and be an Australian Citizen/Permanent Residence or New Zealand Citizen.
Cost: There is no cost to complete this unit of competency if you meet the selection criteria.
Details
This is only for the unit of competency CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drug issues
Delivery: Online and virtual classes. You must be available to attend the following:
- Wednesday 15 October 2025, 9:30AM – 1:00PM
- Wednesday 22 October 2025, 9:30AM – 1:00PM
- Wednesday 5 November 2025, 9.30 – 1:00PM
- In addition to the above, you must also be available for 1 hour between 9:00AM – 4:00PM to complete a live simulation between Monday 27 Oct – Thursday 30 Oct (allocated day and time will be arranged with your trainer and assessor
Application process:
This is an expression of interest only. Apply using the registration link below. You will be notified via email if you have been successful in securing a place and you will be required to accept your offer by a due date.
Enrolment to Elevate and submitting your registration does not guarantee enrolment into the unit of competency.
Contact Student Administration – tp@turningpoint.org.au if you have any questions.
Date: Thursday, 26th February 2026 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Online
Description:
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is one of the key practice skills you need for effective alcohol and other drug treatment. This interactive workshop offers an engaging and practical introduction to CBT and makes CBT meaningful in day to day practice. Improve your understanding of CBT theory and practice, learn a comprehensive CBT framework, and develop skills in tailoring strategies and treatment for different client presentations.
Key learning outcomes:
- Gain core knowledge and clinical skills in different types of behavioural and cognitive therapies
- Understand the CBT approach to assessment, formulation, brief interventions and treatment planning
- Apply knowledge and practice of key alcohol and other drug specific CBT interventions
Eligibility Criteria
This training has been funded for workers employed under the AOD Traineeship Program.
Who is not eligible?
Anyone not employed under the AOD Traineeship Program, workers from other community sectors such as family violence, homelessness, mental health, non-supervisors and AOD workers outside of Victoria.
Terms & Conditions
Please ensure you have clearance from your line manager to attend. If you cannot attend, cancel your registration and make your spot available to someone else on the waitlist.
Enrolments have closed.
Eligibility & Course Details
Start date: 25 September 2025
Duration: 6 months (8–10 hours/weekly study recommended)
Delivery: Flexible, blended online | by Odyssey Institute (RTO 20995)
Cost: Fully funded by the Department of Health (limited places)
Eligibility: You must be working in a Victorian State-funded AOD service to be eligible for a funded place.
What is the Skill Set?
The AOD Skill Set is a nationally recognised qualification and provides valuable skills and AOD-specific capabilities for providing services to clients with AOD issues. This skill set is viewed as the minimum qualification for working in the Victorian AOD sector. Resources, tools and templates used in Odyssey courses are recognised and accepted by the Victoria AOD sector as industry standards including clinical guidelines, and comprehensive AOD client assessments.
Competencies
- CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
- CHCAOD006 Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues
- CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
- CHOAOD009 Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans
Delivery format
Odyssey offers students opportunities to access a combination of delivery modes to meets their needs. Delivery modes include optional participation via flexible and blended online delivery that features:
- Anytime-anywhere access to online learning and assessment resources
- Trainer led web-conferenced workshops and tutorials/catch up sessions (recordings available)
- Skills Practice and Observational assessment days held at Footscray or via web conferencing
- Student led study groups with encouragement to form communities of practicE
Assessments: Includes question banks, other written tasks, case study analysis and observation of simulated role plays.
Enrolment to Elevate only does not guarantee enrolment into the course. Contact elevate@vaada.org.au if you have any questions.
Date: Thursday, 10th April 2025 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Online
Description:
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is one of the key practice skills you need for effective alcohol and other drug treatment. This interactive workshop offers an engaging and practical introduction to CBT and makes CBT meaningful in day to day practice. Improve your understanding of CBT theory and practice, learn a comprehensive CBT framework, and develop skills in tailoring strategies and treatment for different client presentations.
Key learning outcomes:
- Gain core knowledge and clinical skills in different types of behavioural and cognitive therapies
- Understand the CBT approach to assessment, formulation, brief interventions and treatment planning
- Apply knowledge and practice of key alcohol and other drug specific CBT interventions
Eligibility Criteria
This training has been funded for workers employed in a Victorian State-funded Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service including those under the AOD Traineeship Program.
Who is not eligible?
Workers from other community sectors such as Family Violence, Homelessness and Mental Health and AOD workers outside of Victoria.
Terms & Conditions
Please ensure you have clearance from your line manager to attend. If you cannot attend, cancel your registration and make your spot available to someone else on the waitlist.
